Perez, Lugnuts outlast Kings in 11th, 8-5
Published on July 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
CLINTON, IA - Catcher Carlos Perez went 4-for-6 with four RBIs including a go-ahead RBI single in the 11th inning as the Lansing Lugnuts (14-8; 52-37) outlasted the Clinton LumberKings (12-10; 36-56), 8-5, in an emotional series opener on Saturday night at Alliant Energy Field.
The Lugnuts improved to 6-1 on their season-long nine-game road trip.
The 20-year-old Perez delivered a two-run single in a three-run 3rd inning against starter George Mieses and a dramatic game-tying RBI single in the 9th against closer Tyler Burgoon, then came through again in the extra frames.
Facing reliever Jon Hesketh (Loss, 0-1) with one out in the 11th, Perez delivered Oliver Dominguez with a line drive into left field. Three batters later, K.C. Hobson sliced a two-run single up the middle, giving Lansing its winning margin.
The Lugnuts received the opportunity to win after a dramatic close call went their way in the 10th inning. With the bases loaded and Shawn Griffith (Win, 3-0) on the mound, Kalian Sams sent a broken-bat one-hopper toward second baseman Matt Nuzzo. An initial fumble put the play at first into doubt, but bases umpire Dustin Klinghagen gave Lansing the benefit of the doubt. Clinton manager Eddie Menchaca charged the field to dispute the call and was summarily ejected.
Lugnuts center fielder Jake Marisnick was also thumbed out of the game by Klinghagen, tossed for arguing a caught-stealing decision in the 9th inning.
Danny Barnes pitched the bottom of the 11th for his seventh save, striking out two after allowing a leadoff single.
The two clubs play the second game of the three-game series at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, pitting Lugs right-hander Casey Lawrence (6-8, 3.78) against LumberKings left-hander Anthony Fernandez (3-2, 3.32).
Lansing will be back in action at Cooley Law School Stadium on Wednesday, July 20, at 12:05 p.m., taking on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on a Summer Fun Day. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2011
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- TinCaps work extras to beat Chiefs, 4-3 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Chiefs Lose 4-3 Saturday - Peoria Chiefs
- Perez, Lugnuts outlast Kings in 11th, 8-5 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Kernels score three late to down Dayton, 5-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Jones Powers Whitecaps Past Snappers - Beloit Sky Carp
- South Bend edges Rattlers, 5-4 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Long and Nester Shine In 7-5 Win - Burlington Bees
- Perez Lifts Lugnuts in 11th Inning - Clinton LumberKings
- Cedar Rapids drops Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Hagens, Homers Help Hawks Hold On - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Captains Rally Falls Short in Bees 7-5 Win - Lake County Captains
- Cougars' Losing Skid Hits Four - Kane County Cougars
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